Roles of the People in the Tribe
Peace Chief
There are two chiefs for each clan. This is the peace chief, who
was in charge when the Cherokees were not at war. He was in charge of matters
within the village, such as ceremonies, courts, and laws. He wears white to
represent peace (2) (3).
was in charge when the Cherokees were not at war. He was in charge of matters
within the village, such as ceremonies, courts, and laws. He wears white to
represent peace (2) (3).
War Chief
The other chief was the war chief. Not only was
he in charge when there was war, but he was in charge of all matters dealing
with affairs outside of the tribe. This includes negotiations, alliances, and
trade. Unlike the peace chief that wore white, the war chief wore red when they
were in war mode (2) (3).
he in charge when there was war, but he was in charge of all matters dealing
with affairs outside of the tribe. This includes negotiations, alliances, and
trade. Unlike the peace chief that wore white, the war chief wore red when they
were in war mode (2) (3).
Beside the chief, was his right-hand man. This person's duty was to help rule, help make decisions, and was typically the speaker. This man led six others, and sat next to the chief in the Council House (2).
Role of the Women
The women in Cherokee society played a vital role. They were
respected and got to make some of their own decisions. One of them was the
choice as to whom they would marry. Also, if a woman had won honor in her
village, she could help plan battle strategies. More so, she decided whether
the prisoners were to die, or become members of the tribe. A right to the women
was their children. The children were born to the same clan as their mother,
and stayed there. The women not only owned the children, but the house as well.
On a further note, women also had duties to perform. They typically
gathered/harvested food they had grown, and tanned hides for
clothing (2).
respected and got to make some of their own decisions. One of them was the
choice as to whom they would marry. Also, if a woman had won honor in her
village, she could help plan battle strategies. More so, she decided whether
the prisoners were to die, or become members of the tribe. A right to the women
was their children. The children were born to the same clan as their mother,
and stayed there. The women not only owned the children, but the house as well.
On a further note, women also had duties to perform. They typically
gathered/harvested food they had grown, and tanned hides for
clothing (2).
Role of the Men
The wife's brother was in charge of training his sister's sons to
become men. They hunted and made useful tools such as blowguns, bows and arrows, tomahawks, and canoes (2).
become men. They hunted and made useful tools such as blowguns, bows and arrows, tomahawks, and canoes (2).